Four Questions to Ask Your Doctor About Failed Back Surgery Syndrome

Understanding Failed Back Surgery Syndrome

Failed back surgery syndrome treatment often varies from patient to patient depending on factors such as the specific cause of their pain and their overall health. If you are experiencing new or worsening symptoms following a neck or back surgery, it is best to consult with your physician to determine the precise cause of your pain as well as the combination of treatment methods that will be most effective for you.

Questions to Ask Your Doctor About FBSS

If you suspect you are suffering from failed back surgery syndrome, you may be feeling a combination of frustration and fear. However, knowing what questions to ask your physician at your next appointment is a great way to ease some of the anxiety you may be feeling. Here are four questions to ask your physician about failed back surgery syndrome treatment:

  1. What are my treatment options? There are many treatment options — both conservative and surgical — used to treat failed back surgery syndrome. Your physician will be able to tell you which treatment options are available to you.
  2. Will I need more surgery? After conducting several tests and discussing your symptoms with you in detail, your physician will likely be able to tell you whether you will need additional surgery for your failed back surgery syndrome.
  3. What activities should I avoid while undergoing treatment? It is important to be aware of the activities that can aggravate your condition so that you can avoid them and expedite your recovery as much as possible.
  4. How long will it take to know if my treatment is working? Your physician will give you a rough timeline regarding how long it might be until you should expect to see results. If you do not experience significant relief after this designated period, you may need to follow up with your physician to consider other options.

Surgery Options for Inquiring Patients

If surgery was not part of your initial course of treatment for failed back surgery syndrome and you have not found sufficient relief after several weeks or months of conservative treatment, you may need to consider undergoing surgery. Understandably, patients who find themselves in this position may be frustrated and nervous about having another surgery after their initial one failed. However, several surgical procedures can be used to treat patients with failed back surgery syndrome, including spinal cord stimulation. 
Spinal cord stimulation is a modern treatment option for patients suffering from chronic pain. At BEST Health System, we offer spinal cord stimulation trials to help patients achieve the relief they have been looking for. If you are seeking relief from a chronic condition, connect with us today.